Southern California -- this just in

Glendale man accused of impersonating officer in extortion scheme

Investigators are seeking the public’s help in the case of a Glendale man who is accused of impersonating a police officer to extort money from victims with legal problems.

Police say that Jose Quintana, 39, preyed on people who were accused of crimes or who had family members facing charges.

Quintana allegedly told victims that “as a police officer, he could have their criminal case ‘disappear and go away,’ ” according to a news release.

Officers took Quintana into custody Tuesday, and he was released Thursday after making bail. Los Angeles police are handling the investigation; Quintana formerly lived in Los Angeles.

Victims described meeting Quintana at a coffee shop or in front of a police station to pay for his services. Quintana allegedly carried a police badge and a firearm, and drove a 2005 black Nissan Armada or a gray Toyota Corolla.

Authorities achieved a milestone last November when they felt confident enough to identify Quintana as the suspect. They issued a warrant for his arrest and filed two counts of grand theft and two counts of unlawful use of a badge.

Investigators have two extortion episodes on record, one from late 2009 and one from the summer of 2010, but they suspect there are other victims.

“He took advantage of citizens that were in a bad position,” said Los Angeles Police Det. Freddy Arroyo. “And he conned them into believing that for a certain fee he could have a case go away.”

Anyone with information should contact the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division at (213) 486-6840.